Jackie: 'reading reviews…squeal'! I love you guys.
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Chapter 29;
Late that night Sesshomaru snuck off to the clearing again, leaving everyone asleep, or so he thought. Once in the clearing he started practicing. He had to get stronger. He had to get strong enough to protect her. Rootousi dropped down from the canopy of the trees and said, "You need a sparring partner. You'll never get stronger fighting the air."
"Are you volunteering?" Sesshomaru asked without looking back at the old man.
He heard Rootousi crack his knuckles and the old demon said, "I would LOVE to knock some sense into you."
"Bold words," Sesshomaru said, drawing his whip and snapping it back at Rootousi, "Let's see you try it."
The practice battle raged for hours. Sesshomaru clearly had the upper hand power wise, but Rootousi had thousands of years to perfect his strategy. Rootousi got close enough to tap Sesshomaru on the shoulder from behind and said, "So, you finally have something worth fighting for?"
Sesshomaru struck but the old demon was already out of range. Sesshomaru pursued, and said, "You presume to know my motivations?"
"It's written all over you," Rootousi smirked, "You've always fought well and with great cunning, but this is the first time…"
Contact! Sesshomaru landed a good, old fashioned, right hook on Rootousi's face, sending the old demon flying through the air. Rootousi laughed, rubbing his chin. He got up and said, "This is the first time I've seen you fight with passion. All the technique and strategy in the world can be cut down by a desperate man who has something to fight for."
"You talk too much, Rootousi," Sesshomaru said coldly and started to walk away.
"Yeah," Rootousi sighed, "But what really erks you is that you know I'm right. You dog demons always fight your best when protecting someone. That's why your brother has bested you all along."
Sesshomaru was in no mood so he walked away. He could barely stomach talking to anyone but Miyoiki for more than a minute or two. Rootousi watched Sesshomaru go, giving him a head start, before Rootousi started back to camp himself.
Sesshomaru walked into the campsite where Miyoiki was just starting to stir. She was always so beautiful in the morning. The sun left a glow like gold dust on her shimmering skin, and her hair shined like white fire. She saw him coming and started to rise from bed, not realizing that her wings were unfolding.
Miroku could not resist, "What a wonderful way to wake up."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed menacingly at the monk. Miyoiki eeped and clasped her wings shut. She blushed and said, "Forgive me. I had gotten used to leaving them open when Sesshomaru made those wonderful clothes for me."
THAWACK! Sango clobbered Miroku over the head and said, "You don't have to apologize. THIS lecher on the other hand-"
Miroku took Sango's hand, but instead of rubbing himself on it like a buffoon he stared deeply into her eyes and said, "My deepest apologies, my dear Sango, I did not mean to even infer that she was half so lovely as you are."
Everything female in a five mile radius blushed. Even Sango, who normally would have clobbered him again by now, could only bat her eyelashes. Still, she was ready to knock him a good one if he tried to steal a kiss. Just try it! I know you're…
He got up and started packing the campsite. Everyone in Inuyasha's normal party could only stare. Sango was frozen. Something in the pit of her stomach turned. Was she… Disappointed?
"Hey!" Sango yelped, "Wait a minute! What are you trying to pull?"
"Nothing!" Miroku chimed, "Can't I be sincere?"
"Not really," Said Shippo.
The banter in Inuyasha's group continued. Rootousi openly laughed. Rin and Jaken looked completely confused. Miyoiki smiled warmly, and giggled a little herself.
"What curious allies you have chosen, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said.
"Yep," Inuyasha mumbled, "They've all gone nuts."
Sesshomaru sent Jaken off to contract the creation of new outfits for Miyoiki and the rest of them continued on. Kagome fell in with Inuyasha, who was trying his best not to look like he was following Sesshomaru. Kagome whispered, "I don't get it. Why are we even moving? In a couple of days Naraku is bound to come to us. He's been going after Miyoiki so much I bet he's not even collecting the jewel."
"Do you really think he's that short sighted?" Inuyasha asked incredulously, "I'll bet Naraku's just as actively going after the jewel as ever. That way he can increase his strength and get Miyoiki."
"I guess you're right," Kagome sulked, immediately cheering up, "Hey!"
Kagome ran up along side Miyoiki and asked, "Did he really make clothes for you?"
"Yes," Miyoiki chimed proudly, "They were so beautiful and they fit like a glove. He had obviously put a lot of careful thought into them."
"He designed them himself?" Kagome squealed.
"Yes," Miyoiki smiled.
"That's so romantic!" Kagome chirped.
"What's so romantic about that?" Inuyasha grumped, "Anyone can have some stupid clothes thrown together."
"That's not the point!" Kagome snapped, "It's all the thought he put into it, and it turned out so perfectly. That says so much about his love for her. He really KNOWS her, and CARES about her, and…"
Kagome's eyes twitched when she noticed Inuyasha staring off into space. She smiled wickedly and said in a soft sweet voice, "And to know her so well he must have really listened to her."
Still Inuyasha was off in la-la land. Miroku sighed ruefully and Sango shook her head. Sesshomaru was in the lead so he let himself smirk at what was about to happen. Miyoiki didn't know what was going on, and Rin was too busy collecting flowers. Kagome spoke so sweetly she could have been singing, "You know… He really must have listened. Especially when she was saying important things like…"
Here it comes….
"SIT BOY!" Kagome shrieked.
CRASH!
"Stupid," Shippo sighed, "Sooooo stupid."
"ka…go.. ME!" Inuyasha roared, "What the heck was that for?"
"For not listening you insensitive JERK!" Kagome yelled.
Sesshomaru stood and stared at the two. He was quite certain they were in love, but they had a funny way of showing it. Really he was more aggravated at his brother. He was being so insensitive, so boorish, so… like father…
"Why do I hang around?" Kagome shrieked, "I have two GREAT guys who HANG on my every word and I choose to follow YOU. God I'm so stupid!"
"Great guys?" Inuyasha shrieked, "You CAN'T mean Koga and… Hey wait a minute… WHADDA YA MEAN TWO?"
Sesshomaru's eyes started to burn, but only Miyoiki could see it. Miyoiki put a hand on his arm to try to belay him. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and barked, "Who's the other guy? I haven't seen anyone! What've you been sneaking into the woods or somethin' to see him? I didn't think you were that kind of girl!"
"What kind of girl?" Kagome growled, "The kind that likes to be appreciated instead of playing second fiddle to a walking corpse?"
"Silence!" Sesshomaru snapped, "We are going after Naraku. We do not have time for such childishness!"
He considered the argument done, and turned back to the path. Inuyasha on the other hand…
"Who said you were leader?" Inuyasha growled, "We don't have to listen to you."
"Fine," Sesshomaru said simply.
Sesshomaru kept walking. He didn't have the time or the patience for this. He didn't need that half breed's help anyway. Inuyasha growled and then surprised everyone by following. Rootousi took up the rear rubbing his aching head. This encounter may have worked out, but he doubted the two rival brothers would continue to get along much longer at this rate.
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"Alive?" Naraku asked, "That's not possible."
"That's what they said about you," Kagura said.
Naraku growled, "Cursed wench! I will destroy her one peace at a time if I must!"
"If you really want her power why don't you just absorb her?" Kagura asked.
Naraku flung his arm out. Mid-flight it became a long brown tentacle and smacked Kagura so hard across the face that she spun three times while flying backward through the air. She landed hard and Naraku glared at her as she shakily pulled herself back up on her feet.
"Don't you think that I, Naraku, would have done that by now if it were possible?" Naraku said calmly, "It's a delicate system, that of a metamorph, they are bread to be able to sustain the balance. If they cannot regulate it, they are consumed by it. If I absorbed her I would gain her power…"
Kagura turned and glared at him, and he struck her again.
"But only long enough to breathe my final breath before it completely consumes me," Naraku grabbed her mid-flight this time and drew her to him.
"You're power on the other hand," He said with a wicked smile, "I could make you one with my flesh without blinking."
He waited for fear to shine in her red eyes before he tossed her aside like rubbish. She shook where she landed. She bit back the tears, refusing to cry. Naraku smiled. He so loved to break a spirit. He turned to the window and said, "But why would I bother to absorb someone so weak. You're not worth the effort. If I didn't need a servant I'd kill you out of pity."
Kagura's grip on her fan tightened. Oh how she longed for the freedom to lash back at him. She stood, looking externally composed and said, "My mistake, so what is it that you want me to do now?"
"Nothing yet," He said, "Let them enjoy a few happy days together… Right before I crush them all."
Kagura left for her room. When she got there she searched it for any of Naraku's spies. When she was certain she was alone she collapsed into her bed and wept. I'll never escape him! There is no one in this whole world strong enough to free me.
"Sometimes it's not about strength, but cunning…"
A handsome face flashed across her memory. Emerald green eyes sparkled with mirth and her lips burned instantly…
"I used to hunt and kill metamorphs…"
That man… Kagura thought and gripped her pillow. I remember my words… I'll do it, just free me from Naraku…
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Jackie: lots-o-chapters to go yet so stay tuned!